A Deadly Aim, and a Nose for Prey
Arrow Crabs look a bit like the Daddy Long Legs of the sea, and in fact they’re sometimes referred to as Spider Crabs. But, those two brightly colored claws expose them as the crustaceans they are. This one is settled just outside a crevice on a reef off the coast of Roatan, perhaps taking a cautious look for predators or maybe preparing to become a predator itself. Despite its small size and fragile appearance, the Arrow Crab is a surprisingly effective hunter, and it has quite the nose for prey.
Like most crabs, Arrow Crabs are happy to dine on whatever they can scavenge, but they also have an effective weapon that comes in handy when they crave a little sushi. That long nose is what gives this crab its name. Look closely and you’ll see that the Cyrano-like proboscis has barbs not unlike those on an arrowhead or spear point. Using its strong legs to launch itself at a small fish that happens by, the Arrow Crab impales its prey so it hangs just above the crab’s mouth, allowing it to enjoy a leisurely meal using those bright claws to deftly slice off bite sized morsels.
Location: Roatan, Honduras
Camera: SeaLife DC2000 (discontinued)
Light: Camera’s built-in flash
